Conservative activists and social media users aligned with the MAGA movement mocked former President Joe Biden after video circulated of him jokingly referring to a Black university official as “Barack” during a portrait unveiling at Syracuse University.
The remark, made as the 83-year-old Democrat invited the man to join him near the podium, quickly spread online, drawing sharp reactions from conservative commentators who framed the exchange as awkward and inappropriate.
The man Biden addressed was later identified as Jeffrey Scruggs, chairman of Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees. Biden was on campus for the unveiling of his official portrait at the law school he attended, and his broader remarks focused on his education, public service and views on democracy.
Conservative commentator Paul A. Szypula wrote on X, “If President Trump had done this, there would be race riots by Black Lives Matter and calls for impeachment.
Nick Sortor, a conservative media figure, wrote on X, “LMAO — Joe Biden just pulled some random black guy out of the crowd at Syracuse and declared he looked like Barack Obama “Barack, what are you doing?! Come here Barack!” All blacks are the same to ole Joe”
This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
